288 COLYMBUS GLACIALIS, 



rocks of some little bay or ci*eek frequented by it, and there 

 •watch its movements. It is now the end of spring, when the 

 returning warmth gives an increase of animation to the wan- 

 dering tribes of the winged inhabitants of the ocean air. But 

 the Loon makes comparatively little use of his wings, and his 

 great bulk and robust frame would be ill adapted for the 

 hovering flight of the Gulls and Petrels. There he comes, 

 followed by his mate, advancing with marvellous speed. 

 They have rounded the point, and now stop for a moment to 

 cast a searching glance along the shore, lest an enemy should 

 be lurking there. Forward they start, the smooth water 

 rippling gently against their sides. Small effort they seem 

 to make, and yet poAverful must be the stroke of the oars that 

 impel masses so large at so rapid a rate. Now and again they 

 dip their bills into the water, then the head and neck, one 

 glides gently into the water, w ithout plunge or flutter, and in 

 a few seconds appears with a fish in his bill, which with 

 upstretched head and neck he swallows. The other, having 

 also dived, appears with a fish larger and less easily managed. 

 She beats it about in her bill, plashing the Avater, and seems 

 unable to adapt it to the capacity of her gullet ; but, at 

 length, after much striving, masters it, and continues her 

 search. Backward and forward over the clear sand of the 

 shallow bay they glide in their quiet w ay, and now they have 

 both dived with their heads toward us. One rises close to 

 the sea-weeds, and so near to us that we might almost count 

 the spots on his back. The other, in emerging, has perceived 

 us, and somehow communicates the discovery to her mate. 

 They swim about for a short while with erected necks, then 

 sink into the water, their heads disappearing last, and when 

 when we see them again, they are three hundred yards dis- 

 tant, standing out to sea, Avith half-emerged bodies. 



I have several times seen this bird shot by lying in Avait 

 for it in a place thus frequented, but have myself only on a 

 single occasion killed one from the shores. The best time to 

 shoot is Avhen it floats Avith its head under the water, or Avhen 

 it raises itself up and shakes its Avings. In the former case, 

 it seems to see nothing above the surface, Avhether OAving to 

 the great refraction of the light, or to its being intent on 



